Hello everyone. I'm new here to this forum and want to stop drinking. I've never gone to a meeting or talked with anyone regarding this except my lovely wife and my father both of whom are supportive but may not understand how much of a struggle this is for me.
I've tried to stop in the past but the temptation becomes so overwhelming that I give in time and time again. I've prayed for strength and the ability to overcome temptation and am still waiting. I really don't know what else to say. I guess it just feels good to share my struggle with others and maybe find some inspiration in some of you. Thank you for listening.
Well the first thing to recovery is asking for help.
The help that is there and what works is AA. You should look in your phone book and call and start going to meetings. AA offers true help for what we call the disease of alcoholism. Meetings are so importiant to go to, just being around people who understand exactly what you are feeling opens the door to recovery. Taking the suggestions and identifying not comparing with what you hear from others is a great help to getting off the drinking.
This message board is a great place for some great literature that we have learned to develop as a way of living. And to vent when frustrated or ask whatever questions you would like answered about AA.
Great to hear from you and as others add their take on the program of AA and what helped them in the early days keep an open mind, this program does work as long as you work it. I hope this helps.
Welcome!! i suggest Looking up AA in youur area, it has saved my life...the only way i have stopped is by not picking up that first drink...one day at a time...work on today,,24 hours is easier to concentrate on then all the ones that come after it.
I know how hard of struggle it is, believe me..Recognizing that we have a problem is the first step. Sobriety is unbelievably worth the effort and you're worth the fight!!!
"24 hours is easier to concentrate on then all the ones that come after it."
Boy isn't that the truth? I know it doesn't sound that impressive but I've gone 3 weeks without a drink in the past. Sounds pretty pathetic huh?
I've been afraid to go to an AA meeting which is why I guess finding this forum was quite a relief. Hopefully I can build up enough courage to go to one here in the future.
For the past few months I have been putting forth an extra effort to quit. The problem is that when I identify a date to stop I over-endulge on purpose as some sort of farewell to alcohol. The date keeps getting pushed further and further back and never ends. What nonsense huh?
I just want to say welcome also, I'm glad you have found MIP. I hope you will keep coming back, read the post, and share.
I agree with Ellen and Wantneeda, find an AA meeting and attend, your area may even have a meeting that's just for newcomers, and if not that's okay , just go.You have taken the first step and it is in the right direction. Also you might want to read all you can about the disease of alcoholism.Your wife might be interested in the Al-anon program, which is for the families of alcoholics.How many children do you have?
Have a good day and as wantneeda said don't pick up that first drink today, one day at a time is how I stay sober.
GammyRose We have one child. She's about 20 months old and is a blessing. I know that if she could talk she would tell me she wants me around for many years to come and that stopping drinking is a way to ensure that. I have a loving family and want to live a long life so I can be there for them. The health risks associated with alcoholism is what scares me the most so I don't need anymore convicing in that catagory.
A family friend of ours is a recovering alcohol and hasn't had a drink in years. Maybe I'll give him a call tonight.
I agree with all that is written by my friends above, only thing I wish to add is: IF YOU GET ANY SERIOUS PHYSICAL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS SEE A DOCTOR ASAP.
Other than that all you need is a meeting, determination and a will to live and improve your life.
Don't be worried about going to your first meeting, you'll see, all have been where you are now.
Good luck, hope to see you around.
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
Congratulations on your new baby,,, and for wanting to be a sober healthy father. Welcome to this board. sometimes being scared to go to an AA meeting is fear of the unknown,, and a lot of us felt that at first... I have read some of the stories that some of us have told about their first meeting. The stories are probably on the other board and might bear retelling. Meanwhile coming here is a good way to get your toes in the water of recovery. And hoooray for day 1! Oh, and Chris is right to see a doctor if you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms, cuz the doctor can help ease that. Some of the symptoms are: the shakes, hallucinations, and weird stuff that are the effects of the changes on the brain. We get pickled and sometimes need help to adjust to being normal again.
love in recovery,
amanda
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do your best and God does the rest, a step at a time
It's so nice to have found this board. I really like the mentality of only working on one day at a time. Before I would get so overwhelmed trying to figure out how I was going to not drink for the entire week, the entire month, the entire year. So overwhelming that it always led back to drinking. Such great ideas that make such great sense.
Welcome! Nothing to add, the above posts say it all. When you do get to your first meeting, they will probably say the same things. One day at a time, one minute at a time if needed, and ask for help and it will be there.
